FLP will reinstate the retirement age to 60 years.

Plan to up FNPF dues

Dawn Gibson
Friday, April 11, 2014

THE Fiji Labour Party says if elected to form a government this year, it will implement a number of social policies which address poverty and the provision of relief to the country’s poor and the elderly.

These policies are outlined in the FLP’s mini-manifesto, which reassures that the party will strive towards gradually increasing the current FNPF contribution rate of 8 per cent so that workers can “retire in dignity on a liveable income”.

“FLP believes the current rate of 8 per cent is inadequate to ensure this. Indeed, statistics show that 60 per cent of pensioners worldwide do not receive adequate stipend to live in dignity,” the mini-manifesto detailed.

“FLP will concurrently introduce measures in full consultation with employer/employee representatives to lift wage rates to acceptable levels.”

The party said it would also review the current $30 food voucher to reflect inflationary trends.

“FLP will reverse cuts in social welfare payouts to ensure all disabled and elderly persons living in genuine hardship receive State assistance.”

Additionally, the party will also reinstate the retirement age from 55 years (what it is now) to 60 years.

“Since 1987, FLP has been advocating an old age pension for seniors who have no other source of income but have not been in office long enough to introduce this.

“In 2009 the regime reduced the official civil service retirement age from 60 to 55. FLP will reinstate the retirement age to 60 years.”